by Neil Heath » Sat Jun 28, 2014 12:33 pm
My take on the meeting:
My wife and I both attended and volunteered during the meeting. We came home Friday evening before the final session of the Assembly, but it was a good meeting for me. I always enjoy the display area, so I'm sorry I missed seeing you, Keith. Also missed seeing Trudy's book. It was interesting to see how empty the display area was during the US soccer game. We had the place all to ourselves, it seemed, and I had my choice of freebies to collect. (I'm always looking for the good pens.)
I go to these meetings for the chance to reconnect with friends and spend time catching up on our lives. The program is secondary for me. But the general sessions I attended were very good. I attended one one workshop led by Randall Balmer discussing his new book about Jimmy Carter. He was well prepared, and I got a sense of the extensive research he had done before writing.
We attended three of the partner meals, and the food was excellent, though $40 a person is rather high. Some were priced lower, but that just means the sponsors made up the difference. The opening banquet was sold out well ahead of time, and we had quite a few inquiries about tickets at our booth in the registration area. The room would not hold any more, and they had two measly rows of chairs in the back for people who wanted to attend the Co-missioning Service without the $25 meal.
There were some negatives. The room was the smallest I've ever stayed in for that kind of money. Somewhat triangular in shape. Just big enough for one bed, a chair, and a small desk. Tiny bath. It felt very European and spartan.
There was a lack of cell phone and internet access. I got a weak cell connection in our room on the ninth floor. I could not place or receive phone calls or texts in most areas. Wi-fi was free in the lobby, but $9.95 in the room. Needless to say, the lobby stayed full. And when we drove out of the hotel last night, undelivered texts began beeping in on my phone.
Valet parking was $32/day. There was also a Hyatt-owned self-parking garage fairly close by for $18 a day. It stayed full.
Next year is Dallas, and the following year is Greensboro again. I think they may have voted in some past year we missed to come to Atlanta every third year, so we may see you all again in 2017. We were both involved in the work of hosting the meeting, and I can testify to the heavy demand it places on our state staff and volunteers, but it was fun, and I would do it again if asked.
Neil Heath